assisted openers in Michigan

D

dirtydan

Joined
May 21, 2005
Messages
1
are assisted openers, specifically the Camillus Heat 3.65" assisted opener, legal in Michigan?
 
I too, would like to know for sure! I'm retired and have carried knives since I was a boy. I was thinking of purchasing a Camillus Dominator Tanto, but have put it on hold for now. I've called many local authorities and the State Police and haven't got the same answer twice! It appears to be a gray area. The state says any knife opened by mechanical device is a FELONY, in my opinion, assisted openers fall into that catagory! Mind you, this is only my opinion, but I wouldn't want to take the chance!!
I don't know how to find out, but getting caught with one just may make for a long afternoon!
 
In many areas, the legality of assisted openers seems like the sort of thing that will be decided by court cases. You have to decide for yourself if it's a good idea to carry one.
 
well... it is a grey area. They're not automatics, but they're also not manual. Are you interested in the Heat only because of the AO? The nice thing about that knife is that it can be converted easily to manual.

It's a relatively new technology that closely resembles a very old technology and that's what puts it in that grey area of legality. Auto knives have been around for a very long time, and while AOs aren't auto, they have a lot of the same working parts and functionality. They could easily be mistaken for an automatic. Read your knife laws. Calls to local/state authorities are likely going to get you nowhere, becuase I've never read a case where the definition of auto or AO was tried. Unfortunately, it'll probably take some court cases to get a good working legal definition.
 
The way the law is writen is almost the same as the IL law.

An AO is NOT opened by a mechanical device. It is opened by the user. The mechanical device only takes over after the knife has been partially manually opened.

I was brought in to argue an AO case in IL and the defendant was found not guilty. The Judge in the case ruled that if something has to be opened by manual force on the blade than by its very nature it can not be automatic.

It is the same in CA. But use your own judgement. Defending yourself against a criminal charge is a very costly matter.
 
I just moved from MI.... a 3.65 inch blade even if not assisted opening will most likely get you in trouble. IE anything over 3.0000 inches will. Most cop/law enforcement view is "anything" over 3 inches is illegal, even though thats not the law thats how its applied/defacto enforced. I have had friends have issues with cops over assisted openers, but not arrested, just I believe confiscated or "talked to" a bit. In MI it depends a lot on "where" you are...some places/cities/counties its illegal to have anything over 2", or fixed blade, or concealed etc..its a real mess. And trust me, in those places you'd probably get arrested for that 3.65inch "tactical auto" scary knife...did I mention I recently moved from MI? lol
 
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